156 / 194
251
●
DOS PASSOS, JOHN. Archive of 12 letters, each Signed, “Dos,” to writer and
publisher Monroe Stearns, several concerning
The Great Days
and other projects, including
7 Autograph Letters, 3 Typed Letters, and Two Autograph Postcards.Together 15 pages, 4to
or 12mo or 8vo; generally good condition.
Vp, 1954-62
[500/750]
5 July 1954, ALS: “. . . I’m glad to know that you are still struggling with your tough prob-
lem of sales resistance. If you can get over the initial hump, which is a tough one, everything
will be much easier from then on, because . . . people would continue reading the book if they
once got started reading it. In any case, the promotion won’t be lost. I’m sure it will help with
the next one. It’s a pleasure to think that you people are still putting up a fight; publishers tend
to let my books go down the drain, without much struggle.The odd thing is that a few people,
through the years, continue to read the damn things. . . .”
15 July [1954], ALS: “What is the advance sale if any? . . . ‘Courage, monsieur, courage’ as
[someone] shouted when my father hesitated before throwing a silver dollar into the Blue
Grotto. . . .”
21 January 1957,TLS: “. . . If I possibly can I’ll . . . talk about your picture book idea. It
might be a possibility after I’ve finished reworking the novel . . . .The name seems now to be
The Great Days [published 1958]. I should have it off my desk by now if I hadn’t become
involved in the motion picture project (of doubtful prognosis) . . . .”
8 November 1957,TLS:“Here’s a fairly detailed synopsis of Part I and sketchy outlines of the
rest [not present].
“
I thought you might start looking around for material before 1776. It’s mighty scarce.
“
The sections in this case are based on trades or professions. . . . In photographing things like
broadaxes or guns . . . everything depends upon how imaginatively it’s done. . . .
“
We haven’t seen a sputnik but the skies celebrated the eve of the 40th anniversary by putting
in a red aurora borealis that pleased everybody’s pants off.”
14 March 1958,ALS:“I’m wondering if . . . you could put me on the track of a piece of nar-
rative . . . in a letter or journal of the time describing a privateering voyage to theWest Indies .
. . . I had a letter I meant to copy out of the Robert Morris papers, but now I can’t for the life
of me find it. I have a certain spot where I want to quote something from the period. A mer-
chant’s log would do. It just has to be before 1776. . . .”
“I ALWAYS FEEL A LITTLE INSECUREWHEN I AM
MADETHE SUBJECT OF CRITICISM”
252
●
HOLMES, OLIVER WENDELL. Autograph Letter Signed, “OWHolmes,” to
“My dear Mrs. Smith,” responding to criticism, with a postscript, remarking that the letter
is private and not meant for the press. 2 pages, 8vo, written on the recto and verso of a sin-
gle sheet; moderate toning overall, faint scattered foxing, integral blank detached.
Boston, 31 March 1880
[350/500]
“
. . . I always feel a little insecure when I am to be made the subject of criticism. Consequently,
many crudities established themselves in my pages which it was hard to displace after readers
had become accustomed to see them in my earlier editions. But after all a man’s best things are
what he should be judged by and I am confident that I can trust your sagacity to find them
out—if there are any such in my books.Then if your reverend . . . will ‘deal gently with the
erring’ in the matter of his orthodoxy, I shall come out from the critical ordeal singed a little, it
may be, but not badly scorched, and with my good name all the better for the warm breath
which has been expended on it.”